SAN ANTONIO -- Texas A&M got goals from Merritt Mathias, Annie Kunz and newcomer sensation
Kelley Monogue and this time around left little doubt about advancing in the Big
12 Soccer Championship with a 3-0 semifinal victory over Missouri on Friday at
Blossom Soccer Stadium.

The second-seeded Aggies (14-5-2) will play top-seeded Oklahoma State in the
final on Sunday afternoon. It will be a rematch of the Big 12 final from two
years ago. The Cowgirls, ranked second-nationally, beat Texas 1-0 in double
overtime in Friday’s other semi.

Missouri (12-8-1) was sixth-seeded and was hoping to advance to the final for
the first time since 2008.

It’s the 10th appearance in the Big 12 final for the Aggies and
third in the past five years. A&M didn’t do it without a scare. The Aggies
fell behind 2-0 to Kansas in the quarterfinals Wednesday. After scoring three
goals in less than five minutes to take a one-goal lead, the Jayhawks scored the
game-tying goal with three seconds left.

Mathias, a senior from Birmingham, Ala., clinched that game with the final
penalty kick. She also picked up two points on a goal and assist.

Her goal in the 16th minute against Missouri on Friday, her eighth
of the season, makes Mathias the most productive player in the tournament. She
drilled that one past Tigers goalkeeper McKenzie Sauerwein from just past the
penalty area. It was assisted by Nora Skelton and Beth West.

“Merritt Mathias is the player that kind of rolls that group,” Tigers coach
Bryan Blitz said. “That was a big difference. They finished their chances and we
didn’t.”

Not to be outdone was Monogue, the freshman from McKinney, Texas, who swept
the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Her goal to
make it 2-0 in the 55th minute came from close to 30 yards and had enough heat
that Sauerwein couldn’t contain it. It’s her Big 12-leading 18th goal
and was assisted by Rachael Balaguer.

Mathias, however, injured an ankle. She came back in the game but was limping
afterward. She expects to be able to play again Sunday.

“It doesn’t hurt too much after a win,” she said. “No way I’m I going to sit
on the bench at this time of the year.”

It was freshman Jordan Day’s seventh shutout of the season. She only had to
make two saves as the Aggies outshot Mizzou 22-9.

Amy Kunz’s goal, her 13th of the year, came in the 82nd
minute and was assisted by West and Lyndsey Gnatzig.